ASPRI Members’ Exclusive Dialogue with Ministry of Manpower (MOM)

05/05/2017- 05/05/2017

ASPRI Member’s Exclusive Dialogue with Ministry of Manpower (MOM)

To better prepare our members for the important manpower policies changes w.e.f 1 June 2017, ASPRI organised the 9th Members’ Exclusive Dialogue with the Ministry of Manpower (MOM) on 5 May 17 (Friday). The dialogue drew a record high attendance of almost 200 members who were quite apprehensive about how their businesses could cope with the rising manpower costs amid the current lull economic situation.

Mr Dexter Chen, Manager of Work Pass Division from MOM, MOM shared several important manpower policies changes. The first sharing was the Enhanced R1 Criteria for the Process Construction and Maintenance (PCM) sector. With effect from 1 June 2017, PCM Work Permit Holders (WPHs) could only qualify for low levy (R1) via either 1) Skills and Fixed Monthly Salary (FMS) of $1200 and above or 2) 2 years’ experience and FMS of $1200 and above. Another useful sharing by MOM was the details including the administrative procedure of how PCM WPHs need not be repatriated to their native countries when their WPs are due for renewals, regardless whether they would continue their employment with the existing employer or commencement employment new employers.

The dialogue chaired by Mr. Charles Quek (President, ASPRI 11th Executive Council), Ms. Penny Han (Divisional Director, Work Pass Division, MOM) and Mr. Lin Shilie (Deputy Director, Foreign Workforce Policy Department, MOM) was interactive and there was spontaneous 2-way communication between the panel and the members. While members have also gained an insight on the rationale behind those policies changes, the policy makers also received valuable inputs from the industry for subsequent policy making.

After the Dialogue, the event was concluded with mingling and exchanges among members over the tea-reception.

Lastly, ASPRI would like to thank everyone for the event’s success, especially to our valuable partner, MOM for the meaningful and fruitful session.